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Page 499
another use to which the hook could be put. If it was impossible to topple the ladder backward, it could be pushed and pulled from side to side. With good luck some men would fall off, and all would be greatly impeded in their climb. With better luck, the ladder could be thrust off sideways, or one foot would break under the pressure and bring about the same result. When he was sure the men really understood what he had told them, he sent two off around the walls to explain the technique to other groups.
At the moment, it was all he could think of. He looked out once more at the preparations being made. They had still a little time before Gwenwynwyn's force would be ready to attack. From the spot he now stood on the walls, Ian looked down into Lady Peter's walled garden. It was smaller than the garden of Roselynde, but just as well kept. Ian, however, was not thinking of that nor of the pleasant hours he had spent in that garden with Alinor. ''You," he said to the nearest man-at-arms, "go and find Sir Peter. Tell him to set the servingmen to tearing out the stones of the garden. Have them brought up to the walls, and the servingmen also. They are not trained in arms, but they will be put to the sword as much as we will. Let them fight as they can. They can cast down stones upon the attackers."

Lord Llewelyn did not wait at Llanrwst for his vassals. So well had Alinor worked upon his fears, that the men were summoned to meet him at a keep on the very borders of Powys. He did not, of course, write a summons to Ian's vassals. He had not that right. He would go with Alinor and lend his authority to her pleading. If the men refused to come, there was little that even Lord Llewelyn could do. It was not worth arguing about anyway. Ian's lands in Wales were not large. Perhaps 20 men might be had from each vassal. Because he did not wish to waste time, he rode with his own troop and Alinor's to Ian's keeps first.

 
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